Gravity projector ball game device



Aug. 19, 1952 M. F. FINNERTY GRAVITY PROJECTOR BALL GAME DEVICE Filed March 2, '1948 Patented Aug. 19, 1 95 2 regular paths-for the rolling' 'eleinents is rotatable by the f-operatorto still complicate the mgvement'of the elements and'to thoroughly idistribute them about the recording fand 'ating With the foregoing and other' objects inview, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an amusement device involving my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse detail section throughthe guide for the retaining means for the rotary element,

The device com-prises a base member ID, preferably substantially circular in outline, provided adjacent its periphery with a series of openings or recesses I I which may be numbered, as indicated at [2, to indicate a score or for counting purposes, by means of a series of rolling elements, such, for example, as a series of balls or marbles l3 which in operation of the device may come to rest in these recesses. These elements may be deposited on thebase from a distributing device located above the center of the base, the upper wall M of the base being preferably inclined downwardly and outwardly toward these openings, as indicated in Fig. 1, to facilitate passage of the rolling elements from the distributing means to these recesses. The base is also provided with an upwardly extending peripheral flange I5 to prevent the elements rolling oif the base.

Mounted above and in the center of this base is the distributing means for the rolling elements.

H12, masses asses v i-biaiinQ ;(c1. ates-120. 5.

In'the press e'a se tniseistn v prises a ro atable "lcilock -16 airing an upwardly and inwardly inclined-Side wan. Preferably the block is s-ubs'tantially cc c'alpr frustwconical, and is mounted for rd on ondtsv'eltical-aaris by any suitable 'means. "theipresent constructib'n an-"u ""ht 'bai iiig sleeve *1"! .mounted on h W eli iefl by ally-Suitable :as: he screws. ".18. pri islfaft-il9 provided -w-ith-a fi'afige or collar 20 rStin'g jOH an antifrictibn bearing '21 to permitthe dvice to rotate'freel y. "The' block l Gis mountd on the up;- per'pa'rt of this'shaft'so as to 'rotatewith-it This block It is provided with defiectingam'eahs-for causing descending circularelements;?such' as the balls or'inajrbles l3, 'to take irregular 'and' undetermined paths 'as they sass downwardly over the tapered surface of the block. These may comprise pegs or pins 22 projecting outwardly from the surface of the block and arranged in any deoutwardly from and covering the block is a cover or dome 23, preferably of glass or other transparent material, and this may if desired rest on the outer ends of the pins or pegs 22 or be carried by any other suitable support. Therefore, with this arrangement the irregular paths of the rolling elements are located between the block l5 and the cover or dome 23, and the elements are guided and retained in these paths by these members. The lower edge 24 of the cover or dome is spaced sufiiciently above the top wall I of the base member to permit the rolling elements I3 to pass outwardly under this edge as they reach the lower ends of the paths provided by the pins and reach the top wall of the base member. The top wall of the cover or dome 23 is provided with an entrance opening 25 for feeding of the rolling elements 13 into the device in playing it. p The surface of the block 16 may be covered with green or other colored felt 26 to give a better appearance and reduce the noise of the rolling elements.

There may be a catch for preventing removal of the rotary block by the player. In the present instance this comprises a sliding catch 21 including a hooked portion 28 extending over the top of the flange 20 to prevent upward lifting of the block and shaft 19, and it includes a. horizontal 3 portion 29 in a suitable guide member 30 mounted in a recess in the under side of the base member and terminating in a hand grip 3| at its outer end adjacent the periphery of the base member Where it is easily accessible for operation by an authorized person. If desired, a lock or other securing means (not shown) may be provided to prevent release of this catch by any except an authorized person, i

The game'is playedby the player or players taking any number of rolling elements l3, preferably spherical elements, such as balls or marbles,

the number being anything desired for each in said surface and an upwardly extending flange adjacent its outer periphery, an upright tubular bearing member mounted on said base, an up,-

' right frusto-conical block above the base proplayer, say five for. example, and feeding them a one at a time through the opening 25 and giving block l6 and cover 23 a twirl. The ball passes down between the block and the cover over the series of pins or pegs 22 and passes out'under the lower rim or edge 24 of the cover, and rolling cesses! l','but,,the;speed oftravel may be varied by varying the speed'of rotation of the dome and cover and the .path of theelement may be observed and followed at all times by the player.

Havingthus setforth the nature of my invention,Iclaim:r s 1 An; amusement device of the character described comprising a base provided with a top surfaceleading outwardly to arseries of recesses vided with a recess leading upwardly from its lower end to enclose said bearing member, an upright shaft secured to the block at its upper end seated at its lower end in the bearing member, a flange on the shaft, a bearing on the bearing member beneath said flange to support the shaft and block, a slide mounted in the base for lateral movement toward and from the shaft and including a retaining shoulder movable to a position over the flange to retain the shaft in the bearing member, a tapered cover over the block spaced outwardly therefrom and spaced above the top surface of the base at its'lower edge, a of deflecting means in the space between the cover and block providing irregular paths for spherical descending elements leading to the space between said lower edge of the cover and said top surface, and said coverbeing provided with an entrance opening for said elements in its top wall leading tosaid paths. e

, MARTIN F. FINNERTY.

REFERENCES orrap The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V s V UNI'I ED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name 1 Date 87,410 Hauschied '1 Mar. 2, 1869 475,067 Risdon May 17,1892 588,264 Brennan Aug. 17, 1897 772,281 Jurado Oct. 11, 1904 832,533 Cline oat; 2, 1906 1,165,798

Messenger Decr28 1915 

